The Special Education Process
How the process works
The information below is a basic overview of the special education process. It is not designed to be all inclusive of the IDEA process, but rather, offer general information. It shows what happens from the time a child is referred for an evaluation, and is identified as having a disability, through the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Parents, school personnel, students, and/or others who suspect that a child may have a disability and require specialized instruction, may make a request for an evaluation. If you request an evaluation to determine whether your child has a disability and needs special education, the school district must complete a full and individual evaluation. If it refuses to conduct the evaluation, it must give you appropriate notice and let you know of your procedural safeguards.
You must give permission, in writing, for an initial (first- time) evaluation and for any assessments that are completed as part of the comprehensive evaluation.
A team of qualified professionals, and you, will review the results of the evaluation, and determine if your child is eligible for special education services.
If your child is not eligible, you will be appropriately notified and the process stops. However, you have a right to disagree with the results of the evaluation or the eligibility decision. If you disagree with the results of an evaluation, you have a right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). Someone who does not work for the school district completes the IEE. If you feel that an IEE is necessary, please contact the district's special services director for more information.
If you and the school district agree that your child is eligible for services, you and the school staff will plan your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), at an IEP team meeting. You are an equal member of this team.
The IEP lists any special services your child needs, including goals your child is expected to achieve in one year. The team determines what services are in the IEP, as well as the location where those services and modifications will take place.
Placement for your child must be in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) appropriate to your child’s needs. He or she will be placed in the general education classroom to receive services unless the IEP team determines that, even with special educational aids and services, the child cannot be successful in this placement.
You are part of any team that decides what services your child will receive and where they will be provided.
If you disagree with the IEP and/or the proposed placement, you should try to work out an agreement with your child’s IEP team. If you still disagree, you can always contact the district's special services director and they can provide you with additional information regarding your procedural safeguards.
If you agree with the IEP and placement, your child will receive the services that are written into the IEP. You will receive reports on your child’s progress at least as often as parents are given reports on their children who do not have disabilities (quarterly with report cards). You can request that the IEP team meet if reports show that changes need to be made in the IEP.
Understanding the Special Education Process
The IEP team meets at least once per year to discuss progress and write any new goals or services into the IEP.
As a parent, you can agree or disagree with the proposed changes. If you disagree, you should do so in writing.
If you disagree with any changes in the IEP, your child will continue to receive the services listed in the previous IEP until you and the school staff reach an agreement. You should discuss your concerns with the other members of the IEP team. If you continue to disagree with the IEP, you have several options, including asking for additional testing or an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), or resolving the disagreement using due process. We do ask that if you have concerns regarding your child's special education services, that you please contact the district's special education director.
Your child will continue to receive special education services if the team agrees that the services are needed. A reevaluation is completed at least once every three years to see if your child continues to be eligible for special education services and to decide what services he or she needs.
Special Services Department
351 Monroe Ave
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: 307-872-5505
Fax: 307-875-2859
Alan Demaret, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent/Special Services Director